News

2011-11-28 14:43:30.777

MO Lottery Reminds Players to Give Responsibly

As shopping lists begin to get created in preparation for the holiday season, the Missouri Lottery wants to take this opportunity to remind players that although Lottery Scratchers tickets make for fun gifts and gift tags for adults, tickets should not be purchased for minors. To further promote responsible gaming practices, the Lottery has joined forces with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and McGill University by participating in the 2011 holiday campaign: Lotteries Are Not Child’s Play – Give Responsibly.

“When we learned that NCPG and McGill University created a campaign focusing on educating Missouri’s youth population and the adults in their lives about playing responsibly, we were eager to get involved,” said May Scheve Reardon, executive director of the Missouri Lottery.

NCPG Program Manager Megan Fludd explained that the campaign is a reminder about responsibility during this busy season.

“The Missouri Lottery’s involvement shows their dedication to the cause,” said Fludd.

According to NCPG, results from a recent study showed that 19 percent of high school students reportedly received one or more lottery tickets as gifts, of which 86 percent came from a family member. Additionally, problem gambling behaviors typically begin during childhood, ages 9 to 10. This, coupled with the growing concern about adolescent problem gambling, prompted NCPG, the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk
Behaviors at McGill University and the Missouri Lottery to collaborate to increase public awareness about the impact of underage gambling.

“It’s important to raise awareness early,” added Fludd.

Reardon noted that the Lottery is urging players, who wish to purchase tickets as holiday gifts, to keep the recipient’s age in mind.

“There’s no doubt Missouri Lottery tickets make entertaining gifts for adults, but they should definitely not be purchased for those under 18,” said Reardon. “We want our players to have fun, but we also want them to be responsible.”